Gravity action palette attachment for drawing table tops



J y 1954 L. M. MANGINE 2,683,640

GRAVITY ACTION PALETTE ATTACHMENT FOR DRAWING TABLE TOPS Filed May 15. 1951 Y Z4 INVENTOR. Lows M- Mmems Patented July 13, 1954 STAT GRAVITY ACTION PALETTE ATTACHMENT FIOR DRAWING TABLE TOPS 1 Claim. 1

This invention relates to a gravity action palette for use on drawing tables or the like.

More specifically, the present invention proposes characterizing the gravity action palette of the present invention by a shallow tray which is pivotally mounted on a clamp which is to be mounted in position over the edge portion of a table top of a drawing table or the like which is movable to a desired inclined position for comfortable work thereon in a manner so that the tray may assume a horizontal position regardless of the inclined position of the table top.

Still further, the present invention proposes securing a bracket to one end of the tray and which is pivotally mounted on the clamp and from which a weight means is depended, in a manner to hold the tray in the desired horizontal position regardless of the inclination of the table top.

Another object of the present invention proposes characterizing the weight means by a long arm which depends from the bracket beneath its pivot and upon the lower end of which a mass of metal is formed to act as a weight for turning the tray.

The present invention further proposes a novel means for removably mounting the clamp in position upon the edge of the table top so that it can be mounted on either the right or left hand side or the table top or be transferred between table tops of different tables without the need for drilling any holes in the table top or in any way marring the top to which it might be only temporarily attached.

A further object of the present invention proposes the provision of a releasable means on the bracket for engaging the clamp in a manner to retain the tray in a fixed pivoted position with relation to the clamp.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claim in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the gravity action palette as it appears when attached to the edge portion of a tiltable table top.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the bracket, per se, used in the form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 to 3.

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 3, but illustrating the gravity action palette constructed in accordance with a modification of the present invention.

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 66 of Fig. 5.

Fig. '7 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 'i'! of Fig. 5.

Fig. 8 is a side elevational view of the gravity action palette constructed in accordance with a further modification of the present invention, but with the outer end of the tray shown in section.

Fig. 9 is a plan view of a portion of Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged detailed sectional view of a portion of Fig. 9.

The gravity action palette, according to the first form of the present invention shown in Figs. 1 to 4, is shown mounted on the edge of a table top 26. The top 20 forms part of a drawing or similar type table and is pivotally mounted, by means not shown, to be raised to any desirable inclined position for comfortable work thereon. Further constructional details of the tablewill not be given in this specification as they form no part of the present invention and are generally known by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains.

The palette includes a C-shaped clamp 2| of rigid metal which is fitted about the side edge of the table top 20, as shown most clearly in Fig. 3. The space between the side arms of the clamp 2! is greater than the thickness of the table top 2i]. An adjustable thumb bolt 22 is threaded through the bottom arm of the clamp 2| and carries at its top end a turnably mounted plate 23 for seating against the bottom face of the table top. When the thumb bolt 22 is tightened into position, the top arm of the clam 2! is drawn down tight against the top face of the table top retaining the clamp in position.

Extending laterally from the clamp 2|, there is a shallow tray 24 which is made of any desired material for holding the usual artists or draftsmans supplies; such as pens, pencils, rulers, brushes, drafting instruments, bottles of ink or paint and the like articles. The tray 24 is preferably made of wood, metal, a thermoplastic or thermosetting plastic material or similar material. Fixedly positioned in the outer end of the tray 2 there is a stri of metal 25 bent to present arcuate portions for supporting in a vertical position pens, pencils, brushes and the like so that they can be easily selected for use. The arcuate portions of the strip of metal 25 are of difierent sizes to receive articles of difierent diameters.

Fixedly secured to the other end of the tray 24, there is a U-shaped bracket 26 which has the free ends of its side arms bent to extend flush along the end of the tray and which are secured to the tray by means of rivets 21. The intermediate arm of the U-shaped bracket 26 is pivotally secured to the C-shaped clamp by a single pivot pin 28. Positioned on the pivot pin 28 between the adjacent faces of the clamp 2| and the bracket 26, there is a spacer washer 29. The pivot pin 28 is sufiiciently loose so that the bracket 26 and the tray 24 carried thereby have freedom of pivotal movement relative to the C-shaped clamp 2|.

Weight means is carried by the bracket 26 for turning the bracket relative to the clamp 2| so that the tray 24 will be in a horizontal position regardless of the inclined position of the table top. The weight means is characterized by an arm 3a which depends vertically from the bottom edge of the bracket immediately below the pivot pin 28. The bottom of the arm 30 has a right angularly bent portion 3|! embedded in a mass of metal molded about the bottom of the arm to form a weight 3|. The arrangement of the arm 30 and weight 3| is such that the weight seeks a position directly below the pivot pin 28 in all inclined positions of the table top so as to maintain the tray 24 in a horizontal position in which it will not spill its contents.

In the modification of the invention shown in 5 to l, the construction of the gravity action palette is similar to that previously described except for the provision of a manually releasable means for holding the tray 24 in a fixed position relative to the clamp 2| after the tray has assumed its horizontal position in accordance with the desired inclined position of the table top 29.

The releasable holding means of the modification of the invention comprises a lug 35 which extends vertically from the top edge of the bracket 26' and through which a screw shank 33 is threadedly engaged. The end of the screw shank 36 adjacent the clamp 2| is formed with an enlarged head 3"! upon which a rubber pad 3&5 is formed. The end of the screw shank 36 facing away from the clamp 2| is formed with a knurled knob 39 by which the shank 36 can be turned in one direction or the other.

When the rubber pad 38 is engaged against the C-shaped clamp 2|, as shown in Fig. 5, the bracket 25 and the tray 24 carried thereby will be held against pivoting. On the other hand, when the screw shank 36 is turned outward, by rotation of the knurled knob 39 in the proper direction, the rubber pad 38 will be spaced from the C-shaped clamp 2| freeing the bracket 26' and the tray 2:3 to pivot relative to the clamp under the influence of the weight 3|.

As shown in Fig. 7, the vertical side edges of the C-ehaped clamp 2| are provided with lateral extensions 48 arranged on an arc concentric with the pivot pin 28 for increasing the surface area of the clamp against which the rubber pad 38 can be tightened.

all other respects, the form of the invention shown in Figs. 5 to l is similar to the first form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4 and like reference numerals are used to identify like parts in all of the figures.

in the further modification of the invention shown in Figs. 8 to 10, there is illustrated another manually releasable means for holding the bracket 26 and the tray 24 carried thereby in a fixed position relative to the C-shaped clamp 2 The holding means of Figs. 8 to 10 is characterized by the fact that the shank 36' is turnably and axially slidably extended through the lug 35' which extends from the bracket 26' and through a complementary bearing block 45 fixeclly carried by the lug 35 on its side facing away from the clamp 2 I.

Coaxially engaged about the shank 36 there is an expansion spring 46 which operates between the adjacent faces of the lug 35 and the rubber pad 38 urging the pad into facial contact with the clamp 2|. Extending radially from the shank 36', there is a pin 41 which is received in an elongated slot 48, see particularly Fig. 10, formed in one side of the bearing block 45.

When the pad 38 is urged into frictional contact with the clamp 2|, as shown on the drawings, the pin 41 is slidably positioned in the slot 48. That slot has a sufficient depth so that the rubber pad 32 engages the clamp 2| before the pin engages the inner end of the slot, so that the spring is free to exert its full force in maintaining the rubber pad 38 in frictional contact with the clamp 2|. To release the hold of the rubber pad 33 so that the bracket 26' and the tray 24 carried thereby will be free to pivot, the knob 39 is first pulled outward sliding the shank 36 axially against the action of the spring 46 to disengage the pin 47 from the slot 48. The knob 39 is then turned slightly to similarly turn the shank 36 moving the pin 47 out of alignment with the slot 8 so that when the knob is released the spring is will urge the shank inward until the pin rests on the outer face of the bearing block 45. In that position of the pin, the action of the spring 46 will be arrested and the rubber pad 38 will be spaced just slightly from the clamp 2| leaving the bracket 26 free to pivot relative to the clamp.

In all other respects, the form of the invention shown in Figs. 8 to 10 is similar to that illustrated in Figs. 5 to 7 and like reference nurnerals are used throughout for like parts.

From the foregoing description it is apparent that the present invention provides a novel palette which will always be in a horizontal position regardless of the inclined position of the table top to which it is attached. Furthermore, the palette can be quickly and easily attached to either the right or the left hand side of the table top for the convenience of persons who are either right or left handed or can be interchanged at a moments notice between the tops of different tables without marring or requiring any mutilation of the table top for achieving the attachment.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise constructions herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes and modifications coming within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claim.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

A palette attaching assembly for a table top or the like comprising a C-shaped clamp carrying a set screw for fastening the clamp to a supporting member, a U-shaped bracket pivotally connected to the clamp, opposed flanges on said bracket having openings for receiving fastening elements whereby the bracket may be fastened to a tray or the like, an integral arm depending frem said bracket, a Weight member on the lower end of said arm for maintaining said bracket in a horizontal position by gravity, and means carried on the upper end of said bracket for locking said. bracket against pivotal movement on the clamp, said means including a lug extending from the upper edge of the bracket, said lug having a threaded opening, a threaded shank member extending through said opening, a head on one end of said shank member and a rubber pad on said head adapted to bear frictionally against the adjacent face of the clamp.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Number Number 15 332,883 403,952 407,558

Name Date Lamarre et a1 July 1, 1901 Spychalski Jan. 19, 191-5 Berry Apr. 3, 1917 Albonesi Oct. 18, 1921 Myers May 15, 1923 Fiorito Oct. 20, 1925 Steidl Nov. 22, 1932 Curtis Oct. 31, 1933 Keller June 19, 1934 Heller Aug. 19, 1947 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date France Nov. 10, 1903 France Jan. 18, 1924 Great Britain Mar. 22, 1934 

